slimvictor
Bluelight Crew
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Lori Ajax has two years to set up California's first system to license, regulate and tax medical marijuana. Gov. Jerry Brown recently appointed the Republican to become the first chief of the Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation.
Ajax, 51, was previously chief deputy director at the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, where she worked in various positions since 1995. In her new role, she faces a moving target: California voters are likely to vote on an initiative in November that would legalize recreational use of marijuana.
The measure includes a provision that would transform Ajax's office into a Bureau of Marijuana Control that would also be responsible for regulating non-medical cannabis, significantly expanding Ajax's responsibilities. Ajax's office has been loaned $10 million by the state to set up a 25-person bureau that can begin issuing licenses on Jan. 1, 2018.
Ajax sat down Thursday for an interview at her Sacramento office.
What about your background has prepared you to oversee the regulation of medical marijuana?
Twenty-one years at the Alcoholic Beverage Control [Department], starting out early on as an agent and then working my way through the ranks. So I dealt with licensing structures and alcohol licenses and enforcement of those licenses in my various positions. And alcohol is a highly regulated product, so I think it is beneficial in setting up this structure for medical cannabis. I think it's going to be helpful. I also had a lot of stakeholder involvement with the public and prevention groups and the industry and law enforcement.
cont at
http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-lori-ajax-marijuana-regulator-20160408-htmlstory.html
Ajax, 51, was previously chief deputy director at the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, where she worked in various positions since 1995. In her new role, she faces a moving target: California voters are likely to vote on an initiative in November that would legalize recreational use of marijuana.
The measure includes a provision that would transform Ajax's office into a Bureau of Marijuana Control that would also be responsible for regulating non-medical cannabis, significantly expanding Ajax's responsibilities. Ajax's office has been loaned $10 million by the state to set up a 25-person bureau that can begin issuing licenses on Jan. 1, 2018.
Ajax sat down Thursday for an interview at her Sacramento office.
What about your background has prepared you to oversee the regulation of medical marijuana?
Twenty-one years at the Alcoholic Beverage Control [Department], starting out early on as an agent and then working my way through the ranks. So I dealt with licensing structures and alcohol licenses and enforcement of those licenses in my various positions. And alcohol is a highly regulated product, so I think it is beneficial in setting up this structure for medical cannabis. I think it's going to be helpful. I also had a lot of stakeholder involvement with the public and prevention groups and the industry and law enforcement.
cont at
http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-lori-ajax-marijuana-regulator-20160408-htmlstory.html
